Blood Sugars after Surgery (please respond)

Hello all, I had surgery dec 4th.  I was on glucophage 750mg xr twice daily.  They never put me  back on it once I was released from the hospital.  Well my fasting sugars were in the 90-100's the first few days post op, which I was thrilled about. Well 3 days ago it was 109, yesterday 116 and today 118.  Do I need to be concerned?  I am still on a liquid diet, barely any calories, my diet hasn't changed at all.. I really don't want to end up back on medication.  I sure hope it starts coming back down again.  I know 118 isn't high yet but if it keeps it up it will be.  Anyone else experience this?  I start pureeds on Monday, really worried it will go highter then.. but I know i won't be eating much basically 1-2 tablespoons twice a day with some protien supplements.  Please give any advice or your two cents, I really appreciate it everyone. Hugs,

Hi Melissa, First, congratulations on your Dec. 4th surgery.  That's great! I was diabetic before I had surgery too.  I was on glucophage and also had gestational diabetes with both of my pregnancies doing injections multiple times each day.  Argh!  Like you, I had great sugars two days after surgery and was taken off my glucophage right after my surgery.  I monitored my sugars for awhile and they bumped up and down similar to what you're describing.  Thankfully, I became more stable with my sugars and have never went back to medication.   Certainly, make sure you talk to your surgeon and/or your endocronologist about your sugars and concern.  One of the things I did when I progressed my diet from liquid is ate mostly soft proteins.  I did not introduce complex starchy carbs until further out post-op.  I believe eating protein consistently helped stabilize my sugars.  Make sure any protein drinks you are consuming have low, low sugars in them. I think it's good you are monitoring so closely and are concerned about a trend early.  

Hi Cathy! Thanks for the quick reply.  I can't help but worry b/c I am a nurse, I have to it seems.  I made a HUGE turnaround in my diet when I got diagnosed in June.  I lost 48 pounds prior to surgery b/c of my dietary changes (and of course the preop liquid diet).  So I got them stabalized rather quickly.  I also thought about not really eating too many carbs once I am on puree since I am supposed to be doing protien.  I will probably stick with that unless it is some green beans or something purreed since those don't have really much in the way of carbs.  Thanks for the advice.  Unfortunatley I am sick sick sick of Isopure!  oh it take me hours to get a bottle down, no joke, b/c I dread every swallow.  I am looking foward to protien supplements that allow milk and I know milk has carbs.  I tried calorie countdown milk and it had less carbs however it spoiled rather quickly before the date and now I am kinda turned off.  At least if I am getting most of my carbs from only the milk hopefully that won't be too bad, and I pray I can handle milk after surgery if not I will try soy milk and I have no idea what the carb amount is on that.  Thanks again.. you were helpful and hopefully my sugars stay down (fingers crossed!) Happy Holidays to you and your family! ((hugs))

I am please to annouce my sugars are in the low 90's every morning now without meds, yeah! Melissa

Hk Melissa, Congratulations on your surgery.  If your fasting surgars stay at 120 or below you are AOK!  But keep testing and keep a log to share with your doctor. I am type II and carbs do cause a spike in my blood surgar.  I seem to be more sensitive to carbs post-op then before. And a trick witht he Isopure.....,mix it 1/2 and 1/2 with Crystal Lite Lemonade. It goes down much easier.

Hi Ronna, My sugars have now been low 90's to low 100's fasting!  So happy!! I am no longer drinking the Isopure b/c I am not on clear liquids any more.  I am not on milk/soy milk with whey chocolate protien.  I am finding every time I drink one of those and I don't drink them fast I have to go to the bathroom and have a (pardon me) loose stool, no other symptoms though.. I used to do this preop after I ate as well, so not sure if it is a form of dumping or not?  I don't get the increased heart rate or sweating or fatigue feeling.. So not sure. I just hope I am absorbing some of that protien.  If you have any pointers on this I would love to hear it.  Maybe it is that I am just a couple weeks out also and will get better in time.   Thanks for all your help! Hugs!

I used the zero Carb Isopure for several months after surgery. It was a good way to make sure I got my protein in even when I started to eat real food.  I would drink 1/2 a bottle a day mixed with my Crystal Lite so that would give me 20 grams a day to start. Sounds like you've developed a bit of lactose intolerance rather than dumping.

Happens with soy milk too though???